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Permit Triggers

Use the sections below to identify the permit type(s) needed: 

If any of the below do not apply to your project, please email permits@olws.org. In your email, please include the Clackamas County building permit number (if known the number begins with the letter B followed by several numbers) and attach any plans.

If it is determined you do not need a permit, OLWS will email you and the Clackamas County to sign off on the County's building permit, click here for more information and view the "The County told me I need a “letter” or "sign off” from OLWS" on the FAQ page. 

If you are building a single family dwelling (SFD / House), the following are required: 
  • Erosion Control Permit
     
  • Utility Connection Permit (sanitary sewer and water)
If you are constructing a SFD addition or deck or accessory structure the following are required: 
  • Erosion Control Permit (if more than 500 square feet of soil is “disturbed” including spoils pile, equipment path, and vegetation removal etc. or 250 square feet in an environmentally-sensitive area)
     
  • Utility Connection Permit (sanitary sewer and water) if the proposal is for a new tap or service to the public line.  If the primary structure (SFD) utilities are extended to the new area, an OLWS utility connection permit is not required, but an erosion control permit may still be required.
If you are constructing an accessory dwelling unit (either attached or detached) the following are required: 
  • Erosion Control Permit (if more than 500 square feet of soil is “disturbed” including spoils pile, equipment path, and vegetation removal etc. or 250 square feet in an environmentally-sensitive area.)  If the ADU is not expanding the existing structure’s footprint, no erosion control permit is required. Though, you must submit a “plot plan” showing that less than the above areas are not affected by construction activities.
     
  • Utility Connection Permit (sanitary sewer and water) if the proposal is for a new tap or service to the public line.  If the primary structure (SFD) utilities are extended to the ADU, an OLWS utility connection permit is not required, but an erosion control permit may still be required.  An ADU also likely requires a sanitary sewer / wastewater system development charge.  An accessory structure or new living space with an “accessory kitchen” does not require an SDC.
If you are constructing a commercial Tenant Improvement, the following are required: 

Utility Connection Permit (sanitary sewer and water) if the proposal is for a new tap or service to the public line.  If the primary structure utilities are used or extended to the TI area, an OLWS utility connection permit is still required.  The most typical scenario is that the existing plumbing/utilities are used for the tenant space.  In this case, a utility connection permit for a “virtual connection” is required.  This type of utility connection permit reviews occupancy/business conversions to assess wastewater discharge capacity such as tenant improvements converting from a low-strength business to a high-strength business in the same space or property.

For example, an office space with low volume and “domestic sewage” converts to a restaurant with high volume (dishwashing and food preparation) with “fats, oils and grease” that require greater treatment at the treatment plant.

If you are replacing or repairing a sewer lateral in the street (public right of way or easement) 

Utility Connection Permit is required.

If you are subdividing property for residential use, or are constructing apartments or condominiums, the following is required: 
  • Utility Connection Permit or Line Extension Permit
     
  • Erosion Control Permit
     
  • Surface Water Permit for Post-Construction Water Treatment Facilities

All three of the above can be collapsed or part of the “engineering review” which Clackamas County refers to as the “Site Development Permit”.

If you are redeveloping or altering an existing non-residential / commercial / industrial site, the following is required: 
  • Utility Connection Permit or Line Extension Permit for a physical connection if there is a new sanitary sewer or water connections to the public line.
     
  • Utility Connection Permit for a virtual connection expansion of existing gross leasable area (GLA), intensification of use, or change of use.
     
  • Erosion Control Permit (if more than 500 square feet of soil is “disturbed” including spoils pile, equipment path, and vegetation removal etc. or 250 square feet in an environmentally-sensitive area.)
     
  • Surface Water Permit for Post-Construction Water Treatment Facilities if more than 1,000 square feet of area is altered. This would apply to only the area to be reconstructed or altered.  This does include “grind and overlay” of surfaces for which treatment of that associated surface water is required.

All of the above can be collapsed or part of the “engineering review” which Clackamas County refers to as the “Site Development Permit”.

If you are retrofitting a commercial site and installing a grease interceptor, oil/water separator, pollution control manhole, drywell or other type of infrastructure: 

A utility connection permit may be required.

If not, OLWS would require a plot plan showing the proposed changes and “cut sheets” or details of the proposed facilities.

 

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